Demountable and returnable bulk bin



July 26, 1966 D. F. COFFEY, JR 3,262,597

DEMOUNTABLE AND RETURNABLE BULK BIN Filed July 6, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. OHM/E4. E (bf-REY, Je

AT'TOENEY5 July 26, 1966 D F. COFFEY, JR 3,262,597

DEMOUNTABLE AND RETURNABLE BULK BIN Filed July 1964 2 Sheets-$heet a 9 INVENTOR. I DAM/1E4. E CoFFEY, J12

United States Patent 3,262,597 uEMoUNrAeLE AND RETURNABLE BULK BIN Daniel F. Coffey, .Ir., Marinette, Wis., assignor to Mari- This invention relates to a demountable and returnable bulk bin.

The bulk bin of the present invention is an improvement on'the one shown in my copending application Serial No. 139,198, filed September 19, 1961, now US. Patent 3,159,300, in that the component parts of the bin of the present invention may readily be assembled and disassembled to facilitate shipment thereof in knocked-down condition, thus effectuating substantial savings in space in the course of return shipment.

Except for the provision of the novel corner brackets herein disclosed, the remaining components of the bin are similar to those shown in my copending application aforesaid. Accordingly, modification of the bin to make its components demountable and returnable involve very little extra expense over the prior bin aforesaid, and the features of the bin aforesaid are retained in the bin of the present invention.

.In accordance with the present invention, the sides of the bin are completely free of any permanent connection to the bottom. The bottom is provided with novel corner brackets having flanges which overhang cleats provided along the bottom margins of the sides. The overhanging flanges of the corner brackets interlock mechanically with the side cleats to preclude vertical separation of the sides from the bottom. Bands which encircle the sides prevent lateral separation of the sides and rigidify the structure.

Accordingly, when in use to store and convey bulk material, the components of the bin are rigidly inter- I connected. After shipment, disassembly of the components is readily effectuated simply by cutting the'bands. This permits lateral swinging movement of the sides to release them from interlocking relation with the corner brackets. When all of the sides are removed they may be stacked with respect to the bottom and tied together in a compact assembly for return to their point of origin for reassembly and reuse. Reassembly involves the converse manipulations of the sides to swing them laterally into interlocking relation with the corner brackets and rebanding thereof.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention releasable latches are provided between the lower margins of certain of the bin sides and the bottom to prevent later-a1 bulging of the bin sides under heavy loads.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following disclosure in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a bulk bin embodying the present invention, one of the corner brackets being removed and shown in spaced relationship to the bin.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary vertical cross section taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a bulk bin embodying the present invention, the mode of assembling and disassembling the sides from the bottom being illustrated in broken lines.

FIGURES 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bottom with the sides removed therefrom.

FIGURE 5 is a cross section taken along the line 55 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of one of the corner brackets, per se.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of a bulk bin showing the anti-bulging latch.

FIGURE 8 is a vertical cross section taken along the line 88 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of corner bracket.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary side elevation of a bulk bin showing the relationship between the lower cleat on one side and the corner bracket.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary perspective view showing in spaced relation sides which mate to form a corner of the bin.

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. The scope of the invention is defined in the claims appended hereto.

Like parts are given the same reference characters in the several views.

As best shown in FIGURE 4, the bottom of the bin comprises a bottom panel 15 fastened to legs or runners 16 by nails 36. Panel 15 may also be provided with an intermediate reenforcing runner or cleat 17.

The edges of the bottom panel 15 are offset inwardly from the outermost edges of the runners 16, 17 to provide I a recess or seat 18 which extends completely around the bottom and into which the sides of the bin fit.

The bin sides consist of side panel portions 19 having parametrically aligned sets of cleats at the upper and lower margins of the side panels 19 and midway therebetween. The cleats at the lower margin are numbered 21, those at the upper margin are numbered 22 and those intermediate the upper and lower margins are numbered 23. The respective cleats are fastened to the side panels 19 as by nails 35 (FIGURE 2), and each has an external groove 24 formed therein. When the sides assembled with the bottom as shown in FIGURE 1, the various grooves 24 of each set are aligned to constitute a recess or trough within which tensioned metal bands 25 are received. I may optionally omit the grooves and bands from the lowermost sets of cleats 21, Where application of bands to this set would be interfered with by the corner brackets.

At each corner of the bottom there is provided a novel bracket 26 of either form shown in FIGURES 6 and 9. Bracket 26 consists of panel 27, panel 28 at right angles thereto and an overhanging flange 29 formed by bending over the upper margins of panel 27. Panel 28 is relieved or notched out at 32, and flange 29 is relieved or notched at 33. The relief at 3 2 is less in the embodiment of FIG- URE 6 than in FIGURE 9, and a narrow re-enforcing web 31 remains in. the FIGURE 6 embodiment as an upward extension of one side of panel 28.

As indicated in FIGURES 2 and 4, brackets 26 are fastened by nails 34 or the like to the runners 16 to anchor the brackets at the outermost corners of the bin bottom. The vertical dimension of each bracket 26 is such that their flanges 29 are spaced above the tops of the runners 16 a distance just slightly greater than the height of the cleats 21 mounted on the lower margins of the side panels 19 by the nails 35. Accordingly, when the sides 19 are mounted on the bottom as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the overhang of the flanges 29 with respect to the cleats 21 on the sides 19 will preclude vertical separation of the sides from the bottom and the sides and bottom are mechanically interlocked by the corner brackets. Part of flange 29 on each bracket 26 overhangs cleat 21 on one side 19 and another part of said flange 29 overhangs cleat 21 on an adjacent side 19. Accordingly, each bracket restrains both sides which meet at a corner of the bin against vertical separation from the bottom.

When the bin is assembled as shown in FIGURE 1, the tensioned bands 25 securely hold the sides in rigid assembly and against lateral separation. As hereinbefore noted, the bands are provided at least for the upper and intermediate sets of cleats 22, 23, and may also he provided for the lower set of cleats 21. The brackets 26 hold the sides to the bottom against.vertical separation. Accordingly, the bulk bin may be used to transport heavy loads (typically from 2,000 to 7,000 pounds of bulk material), and the rugged construction of the bin will withstand the heavy service to which it is subjected and the stacking of one loaded bin on top of another bin, as is also shown in my copending application aforesaid.

The notches 33 in the brackets 26 face inwardly and are complementary to the periphery of the side portions of the bin. The notches 33 have two edges 46, 47 which meet at a right angle and embrace corresponding edges 38 of the sides 19.

The mode of assembly and disassembly of the component parts of the bin is shown in FIGURE 3. To assemble the parts corresponding vertical edges 38 of the respective sides 19 are moved in the direction of arrow 39 to slip them into confinement within the notches 33 in the corner brackets, and dispose cleats 21 behind the unrelieved panels 27 of the brackets 26. The other vertical edges 53 of the sides 19 are then free to swing in an arc in the direction of arrow 37. In the course of this movement, the edges 47 of the bracket flanges act as fulcrums for the confined edges 38 of the sides and about which the sides 19 swing into their seats 18. In the course of this movement, the laterally projecting beveled portions 48 of cleats 21 pass through the relieved portions 32 of flanges 28 of the corner brackets, as shown in FIGURE When all sides are swung into position, the bands are applied under tension to complete the assembly of the bin. As in my copending application aforesaid, the ends of the cleats 21, 22, 23 have double miters. and the bands 25 negotiate around these in two 45 bends. Moreover, the edges 38, 53 of successive sides are butt jointed as shown in my copending application and in FIGURES 1' and 3 hereof.

Disassembly is accomplished in the inverse order of assembly. The bands 25 are cut and discarded. The free vertical edges 53 of the sides 19 are then swung outwardly in the direction of arrow 51 with the confined vertical edges 38 of the sides bearing on the pivot fulcrums provided by edges 47 of notches 33 in the brackets 26. After the free edge of each swinging side has cleared its bracket, the side may be moved in the direction of arrow 52 to withdraw it from engagement with notch 33. The disassembled sides may then be tied to the bottom for compact shipment.

As shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, one or more of the sides 19 of the bin may be provided with an anti-bulging latch. This consists of a plate 40 pivotally connected on pin 41 to cleat 21 at substantially its longitudinal midpoint. For this purpose the cleat is provided with a vertical recess 42 to receive the latch plate 40. Vertically aligned below recess 42 is another recess 43 in runner 16 and into which a finger portion 44 of the plate will swing when the latch plate is in its position shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. The latch plate may be manipulated bya handle portion 45 formed thereon and which overlies the upper edge of the cleat 21 when the latch is engaged.

Force exerted outwardly on the side 19 will be contained by the engaged latch finger 44, thus to help the bin withstand the pressures of heavy loads. Prior to disassembly of the parts, the latch finger 44 is withdrawn from its socket 43 by pivoting the latch plate clockwise about the pivot 40, as viewed in FIGURE 7, whereupon the side 19 may be swung outwardly as shown in FIG- URE 3.

While the tension of bands 25 is relied on primarily to hold the sides together laterally, it is clear that the vertical edges 38 of sides 19 which are confined in the notch 33 of the bracket will also be held against lateral movement by the bracket 26. The opposite or free vertical edges 53 of the sides 19 are not confined laterally by the brackets 26 and rely on the bands 25 for lateral confinement. As is clear from FIGURE 10, the beveled edges 48 of cleats 21 are free to swing through the relieved notches 32 of the bracket panels 28. Edges 48 are offset from the Web 31 of the brackets 26 which do not interfere with such swinging movement.

The webs 31 provide an abutment support for the turned over flange 29 in the bracket embodiment of FIG- URE 6. This protects flange 29 from being bent out of shape during return shipment when the cleats 21 are no longer therebeneath.

In addition to attaching the brackets 26 to the runners 16 with nails 34, carriage bolts 55 may be used. To receive the squared off shanks of the carriage bolt, brackets 26 are provided with square apertures 56 in the embodiment of FIGURE 6. The threaded ends of the carriage bolts 55 receive nuts 57.

In the disclosed embodiment, the latches 40 are provided at two opposite sides of the bin. If desired, they could be provided at all four sides of the bin, or could be omitted entirely if the bin contents do not exert sufiicient pressure to bulge the bin sides.

I claim:

1. A bulk bin comprising a bottom and demountable sides, said sides being connected with both the bottom and with each other when mounted on the bottom and being free of connection with the bottom and each other when demounted therefrom, said sides having cleats at their lower margins with portions which project laterally therefrom at the corners of the bin, said bottom being provided with fixed corner brackets having flange portions disposed in a slightly spaced overhanging relation to the projecting portions of the cleats at the bin corners to interlock mechanically therewith to preclude vertical separation of the sides from the bottom, said brackets being relieved at corresponding sides thereof in lateral alignment with the projecting portions of the cleats, and severable bands which encircle the sides of the bin to preclude lateral separation of the sides and maintain said interlock when the sides are mounted on the bottom, said sides being free to move laterally when the bands are severed to move the said projecting cleat portions laterally through the relieved portions of the brackets and out of interlocked relation to the bracket flanges for demounting the sides with respect to the bottom.

2. The bulk bin of claim 1 in which said bottom comprises support legs to which the corner brackets are con nected and a floor panel portion having edges which are offset inwardly from the edges of the support legs to constitute shouldered recesses around the periphery of said bottom to receive the lower edges of said sides.

3. The bulk bin of claim 1 in which the overhanging flanges of said corner brackets have inwardly facing notches complementary to the periphery of the side portions of the bin.

4. The bulk bin of claim 1 in which said brackets are provided with fulcrums about which said sides pivot in the course of assembly and disassembly of the sides with respect to the bottom.

5. The bulk bin of claim 1 in which certain of said sides and said bottom are provided with releasable latch means intermediate said corner brackets to hold said side against lateral bulging when engaged and free the side for lateral movement when released.

6. The bulk bin of claim 5 in which said latch means comprises a finger pivoted to the lower margin of a side and for which said bottom is provided with a finger receiving socket.

7. A bulk bin having a bottom with a marginal side receiving recess and upstanding brackets fixed at the eorners thereof, said brackets having flanges spaced above said recess and extending inwardly to overhang said recess at the corners of the bin, demountable sides having their lower edges seated in said recesses and having cleats at their lower margains with portions which project laterally outwardly therefrom beneath the overhanging flanges of said corner brackets whereby said sides and bottom are mechanically interlocked by said brackets against vertical separation, and severable bands which encircle the sides of the bin to preclude lateral separation of the sides and maintain said interlock when the sides are mounted on the bottom, said brackets having upright panels in right angular relation, one of which is relieved in the path of lateral movement of a laterally projecting side cleat portion at one edge of the side, said sides. being free to swing laterally When the bands are severed to swing said side cleat portions through the relieved panels of the corner brackets and out of interlocked relation to the bracket flanges for dernounting the sides with respect to the bottom.

8. The bulk bin of claim 7 in which said sides have cleats also along their upper margins, the respective cleats along the upper margins of said sides being par-ametrically aligned and having communicating grooves therein, said bands being in the cleat grooves.

Reterences Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Examiner.

R. H. SCHWARTZ, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A BULK BIN COMPRISING A BOTTOM AND DEMOUNTABLE SIDES, SAID SIDES BEING CONNECTED WITH BOTH THE BOTTOM AND WITH EACH OTHER WHEN MOUNTED ON THE BOTTOM AND BEING FREE OF CONNECTION WITH THE BOTTOM AND EACH OTHER WHEN DEMOUNTED THEREFROM, SAID SIDES HAVING CLEATS AT THEIR LOWER MARGINS WITH PORTIONS WHICH PROJECT LATERALLY THEREFROM AT THE CORNERS OF THE BIN, SAID BOTTOM BEING PROVIDED WITH FIXED CORNER BRACKETS HAVING FLANGE PORTIONS DISPOSED IN A SLIGHTLY SPACED OVERHANGING RELATION TO THE PROJECTING PORTIONS OF THE CLEATS AT THE BIN CORNERS TO INTERLOCK MECHANICALLY THEREWITH TO PRECLUDE VERTICAL SEPARATION OF THE SIDES FROM THE BOTTOM, SAID BRACKETS BEING RELIEVED AT CORRESPONDING SIDES THEREOF IN LATERAL ALIGNMENT WITH THE PROJECTING PORTIONS OF THE CLEATS, AND SEVERABLE BANDS WITH ENCIRCLE THE SIDES OF THE BIN TO PRECLUDE LATERAL SEPARATION OF THE SIDES AND MAINTAIN SAID INTERLOCK WHEN THE SIDES ARE MOUNTED ON THE BOTTOM, SAID SIDES BEING FREE TO MOVE LATERALLY WHEN THE BANDS ARE SEVERED TO MOVE THE SAID PROJECTING CLEAT PORTIONS LATERALLY THROUGH THE RELIEVED PORTIONS OF THE BRACKETS AND OUT OF INTERLOCKED RELATION TO THE BRACKET FLANGES FOR DEMOUNTING THE SIDES WITH RESPECT TO THE BOTTOM. 